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About CDS Week

The role of CDS dentists is largely unknown, yet they make up a crucial part of the dental workforce, delivering care for some of the most vulnerable patients in our society - people that for one reason or another cannot access conventional high street services.

CDS Week signals the start of our endeavour to spotlight CDS dentists, recognise the difference they make, and, most importantly, campaign for solutions to the challenges they face.

#CDSWeek24 | #CDSVision

Representing you

Our vision for the CDS

The nation’s ability to deliver dental treatment for some of the most vulnerable groups in our society is at risk. Our vision is a call to action from English community dentists themselves on how to end a crisis that has gone under the radar of decision makers for far too long, asking all parties involved with community dentistry to make sure the service is finally given the priority it deserves.
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CDS Week 2024

Blog: Raising the profile of community dentistry

Giten Dabhi, Chair of the England Community Dental Services Committee, reflects on the crucial role of community dentistry and the objectives of CDS Week: to spotlight CDS dentists, recognise the challenges they face and, most importantly, campaign for solutions.
Read Giten's blog
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Voices from the sector

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Blog

CDS in the wider healthcare setting

Linda Dunlop, Community Dental Officer, on how community dental services, a vital and often overlooked niche of dentistry, interacts within a complex healthcare system.

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Blog

Exploring CDS training pathways for the new generation of dentists

Lauren Firth, Consultant in Special Care Dentistry, on the routes into and within the CDS - a field rich in complexity, variety and teamwork, changing the lives of the most vulnerable.

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Blog

Supporting staff wellbeing in the CDS is more important now than ever

Julia Hallam-Seagrave, Specialist in Special Care Dentistry, on the variety of practical ways dentists can navigate the stark realities of working on the front line.

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Blog

Resourceful approaches in treating our unique CDS patients

Katherine Sharp, Senior Dental Officer, covers why offering a variety of solutions to CDS patients is key, as is the ability to be imaginative.

Representing you

England Community Dental Services Committee

The England Community Dental Services Committee represents dentists employed in the NHS salaried Primary Dental Services or Community Dental Services in England, whose patient cohort includes vulnerable adults, children, and people with physical and learning disabilities.

Employment relations team

We offer advice for salaried members in the CDS/PDS, academia, armed forces, and other employed settings through our network of workplace accredited representatives (ARs).

Accredited representatives in the workplace

The work of our network of excellent Accredited Representatives is essential to our success as a trade union.

Join us today

BDA membership for salaried dentists

If you're employed on national terms and conditions, it pays to have trade union support. BDA membership for salaried dentists includes expert one-to-one telephone advice from our Employment Relations team, access to networking and high-quality CPD via our events and CPD hub, and 24/7 wellbeing support.
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